The debate about college gun policies is a national conversation

University of Washington students pose with empty holsters, symbolizing their belief that concealed weapons should be allowed on campus. (Meryl Schenker / P-I)

Long story short, some students think the university is denying students their legal rights by prohibiting concealed weapons on the campus. They think the campus would be safer if concealed guns were permitted, maybe even preventing another mass killing including the one last year at Virginia Tech.

The P-I’s Soundoff feature has been inundated by viewpoints from every end of the spectrum.

“I’ve got an idea,” one reader wrote. “Let’s just re-name the university the OK Corral and allow any jerk in who wants to fire off at each other regardless of skill or ability!”

“Young people who actually have convictions and a strong sense of responsibility? My goodness,” another reader wrote. “They must actually be teaching something worthwhile there, after all.”

“Those who want to shoot on campus will shoot on campus, regardless of who has a gun or not,” yet another wrote. “This is not about deterrence.”